Blogging the News

I was born in Mielec, Poland. Although I moved to NYC at a very young age, I spent many summers in Poland. Throughout this time my extended family has given me hundreds of life tips. Have you seen the movie, My Big Fat Greek wedding? My family is like that, but Polish. Most of their advice frankly makes me burst into fits of laughter. My grandmothers life advice typically along the lines of “No man will marry a woman that doesn’t know how to make a Pierogi from scratch” often old fashioned and silly but I do wonder how much of it, I should actually take to heart. Below, is a list of the various beauty hacks I have picked up from my Polish family over the years.Some sound silly, some practical and some downright insane. Lucky for you, I have tested them all and seen results. Welcome to the Kozak family, below you will find my favorite tips:

Potato Face Masks
Potatoes are a staple in every Polish person’s diet. I shudder at the amount of starch I was fed as a child. My job as fourteen, aside from cleaning every inch of my bedroom until every surface was so spotless you could eat off of it, was to peel the potatoes for dinner. Once in a while, after I peeled the potatoes my mother would grab the skins and stick them on her face. I stared at her like she was a zoo animal and rolled my eyes every time she did this, fearing a friend would come over and discover my family’s strange Polish quirks. My mother says her own mother taught her this trick. It wasn’t until a few years later that I noticed how smooth my mother’s skin was. My own skin patchy and blemished at the time, I gave in and covered my face in potatoes. It felt ridiculous but, you know what? It works! This face mask is incredible for scarring, wrinkles and uneven skin tone. The best part? It’s cheap! The more frequently you use it, the better your results will be. Simply scrub a potatoes clean, peel them and place the strips on you face (fleshy whit park against the skin) for 30 minutes. You can also mash the skins into a paste beforehand I have done it both ways. I still do this every once in a while when my skin is just not looking as great as I’d like it. The results always surprise me. My grandmother and mother highly recommend it.

Spirulina in powder form.

Algae Water
Now stay with me, this one is a little strange. My grandfather has been drinking algae every day for as long as I can remember. In his seventies, he is one of the healthiest people I know, every morning at sunrise he wakes up and has a glass before doing his morning pushups. The man has never been severely ill, is a retired soldier, farmer and world traveler. He looks at least 15 years younger than his actual age. He even grows his own algae at home. The type of algae is called Spirulina and contains all of the amino acids that any body needs. It is also filled with protein. Recently the algae has become popular among green juice drinkers but I know it as, the strange green water my grandfather drinks. According to WebMD.com,
“Blue-green algae are used as a source of dietary protein, B-vitamins, and iron. They are also used for weight loss, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), hay fever, diabetes, stress, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and other women’s health issues. Some people use blue-green algae for treating precancerous growths inside the mouth, boosting the immune system, improving memory, increasing energy and metabolism, lowering cholesterol, preventing heart disease, healing wounds, and improving digestion and bowel health.”
I guess he was on to something all along! Spirulina is sold in health food stores and can be mixed into water or a smoothie and is considered a super food. Recently, I bought some of my own and added it into my daily routine as an ode to my grandfather. I like to mix it into a smoothie with a bannana, an apple, what ever berries I have on hand, spinach and ice. Yum!

Nivea
Throughout the years I have bought my mother a variety of face creams as birthday or Christmas. Her medicine cabinet is filled with glasses of jars of face cream. This is because, she absolutely refuses to stray away from her beloved Nivea. This little tin is her holy grail. It is an ultra thick white creme with a unique smell. The smell immediately brings me backs to childhood, as I used to love watching her apply her skincare products and makeup. She uses Nivea as a makeup remover, a face cream, a body lotion, a lip balm and a foot cream. You can always count of her to carry a tin of it in her purse and keep a jar on her night stand. Last year, I read this article, about a woman who tests this cream against infamously expensive Crème de La Mer, and the results were amazing. The ultra-cheap Nivea was the winner. I typically use the cream in the colder months and switch to the lighter version in the winter. I have read that Kate Winslet and Reese Witherspoon swear by this blue tin and I wonder if they apply it as religiously as my mother. I would recommend this creme to anyone with dry skin, when I apply this creme before bed I wake up looking as if I had 12 hours of sleep. My skin appears ultra plumped and baby smooth. What can I say? Mother knows best.

What sort of crazy beauty tips has your family recommended to you? Spill those family secrets!

I was born in Mielec, Poland. Although I moved to NYC at a very young age, I spent many summers in Poland. Throughout this time my extended family has given me hundreds of life tips. Have you seen the movie, My Big Fat Greek wedding? My family is like that, but Polish. Most of their advice frankly makes me burst into fits of laughter. My grandmothers life advice typically along the lines of “No man will marry a woman that doesn’t know how to make a Pierogi from scratch” often old fashioned and silly but I do wonder how much of it, I should actually take to heart. Below, is a list of the various beauty hacks I have picked up from my Polish family over the years.Some sound silly, some practical and some downright insane. Lucky for you, I have tested them all and seen results. Welcome to the Kozak family, below you will find my favorite tips:

Potato Face Masks
Potatoes are a staple in every Polish person’s diet. I shudder at the amount of starch I was fed as a child. My job as fourteen, aside from cleaning every inch of my bedroom until every surface was so spotless you could eat off of it, was to peel the potatoes for dinner. Once in a while, after I peeled the potatoes my mother would grab the skins and stick them on her face. I stared at her like she was a zoo animal and rolled my eyes every time she did this, fearing a friend would come over and discover my family’s strange Polish quirks. My mother says her own mother taught her this trick. It wasn’t until a few years later that I noticed how smooth my mother’s skin was. My own skin patchy and blemished at the time, I gave in and covered my face in potatoes. It felt ridiculous but, you know what? It works! This face mask is incredible for scarring, wrinkles and uneven skin tone. The best part? It’s cheap! The more frequently you use it, the better your results will be. Simply scrub a potatoes clean, peel them and place the strips on you face (fleshy whit park against the skin) for 30 minutes. You can also mash the skins into a paste beforehand I have done it both ways. I still do this every once in a while when my skin is just not looking as great as I’d like it. The results always surprise me. My grandmother and mother highly recommend it.

Algae Water
Now stay with me, this one is a little strange. My grandfather has been drinking algae every day for as long as I can remember. In his seventies, he is one of the healthiest people I know, every morning at sunrise he wakes up and has a glass before doing his morning pushups. The man has never been severely ill, is a retired soldier, farmer and world traveler. He looks at least 15 years younger than his actual age. He even grows his own algae at home. The type of algae is called Spirulina and contains all of the amino acids that any body needs. It is also filled with protein. Recently the algae has become popular among green juice drinkers but I know it as, the strange green water my grandfather drinks. According to WebMD.com,
“Blue-green algae are used as a source of dietary protein, B-vitamins, and iron. They are also used for weight loss, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), hay fever, diabetes, stress, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and other women’s health issues. Some people use blue-green algae for treating precancerous growths inside the mouth, boosting the immune system, improving memory, increasing energy and metabolism, lowering cholesterol, preventing heart disease, healing wounds, and improving digestion and bowel health.”
I guess he was on to something all along! Spirulina is sold in health food stores and can be mixed into water or a smoothie and is considered a super food. Recently, I bought some of my own and added it into my daily routine as an ode to my grandfather. I like to mix it into a smoothie with a bannana, an apple, what ever berries I have on hand, spinach and ice. Yum!

Nivea
Throughout the years I have bought my mother a variety of face creams as birthday or Christmas. Her medicine cabinet is filled with glasses of jars of face cream. This is because, she absolutely refuses to stray away from her beloved Nivea. This little tin is her holy grail. It is an ultra thick white creme with a unique smell. The smell immediately brings me backs to childhood, as I used to love watching her apply her skincare products and makeup. She uses Nivea as a makeup remover, a face cream, a body lotion, a lip balm and a foot cream. You can always count of her to carry a tin of it in her purse and keep a jar on her night stand. Last year, I read this article, about a woman who tests this cream against infamously expensive Crème de La Mer, and the results were amazing. The ultra-cheap Nivea was the winner. I typically use the cream in the colder months and switch to the lighter version in the winter. I have read that Kate Winslet and Reese Witherspoon swear by this blue tin and I wonder if they apply it as religiously as my mother. I would recommend this creme to anyone with dry skin, when I apply this creme before bed I wake up looking as if I had 12 hours of sleep. My skin appears ultra plumped and baby smooth. What can I say? Mother knows best.

What sort of crazy beauty tips has your family recommended to you? Spill those family secrets!

Resume

Before you start your internship search, make sure your resume is pristine. The smallest of spelling or grammar errors will immediately get your resume tossed. Spell check it, search for errors and then have ten other people do the same. Ask your professors, family members and friends to read it. The career services center at most universities is terrific for this. Now, as far as content goes, include anything at all relevant to public relations. If you do not have any internship experience whatsoever this your time to get creative (but never embellish!) Before I had any experience working in public relations I worked at a doctor’s office. Occasionally the staff members would have me write blog posts, social media posts, or create flyers. That little bit of experience gave me something to add to my resume as well as something to talk about in interviews. Also, remember that public relations requires writing skills! Join the school newspaper, or start a blog. These are both terrific things to have on a PR resume.

Cover Letter

The same rules apply. Check your spelling, and check it again. Aside from that, the best tip I have for cover letters is to make sure they are personalized. DO NOT send the same cover letter for every job you apply for. It is okay to create one basic cover letter and adjust it, but make sure you include something that is specific to the job. Tell them why you want to work for their company. Also, do not forget to address the letter to a specific person. Do your research. LinkedIn is your best friend.

The Search

My favorite Internship search tools are Internships.com and LinkedIn. Both of these websites post internships regularly. With Internships.com, you can upload your resume once and apply to internships in minutes. Simply search for an internship, click on the post, add an introduction/short cover letter and click send. This is great when searching for your first internship during a time where you likely want to apply to a large amount of companies and do not have very many options. I would not recommend this approach after your second or third Internship. Once you have interned a time or two, you earn the right to be a little bit selective. Make a list of the top 10 agencies for the specific niche you want to work in (Beauty, Fashion, Tech etc.) and search for internships at those agencies. LinkedIn is probably the most amazing career tool that is available to us, twenty-something’s. It has never been easier to network with firms, the people who work at those firms and people that have previously worked at those firms. I have found that recruiters and HR people are very open to chatting with students about potential opportunities. You can begin by searching for the company you want to work for, follow them and send a message to someone that works there.

The Interview

Once you have lined up a few interviews, it is time to do your homework. Never, ever go to an internship interview without researching the company. If it is a PR agency, research their clients, research the person that is interviewing you, and research company reviews. Many times previous employees will post reviews about what it was like to work for the company on Glassdoor.com. Another important thing to research is the company dress code. This will make a big difference in the way you dress for the interview. PR agencies typically have a casual dress code, but that does not mean you should wear sneakers and jeans to your interview. Business casual is typically the way to go for a PR internship interview. Also, remember to practice. Practice reciting your personal story, know your resume very well and have answers ready for some of the most common interview questions. Also, your work does not end after you leave the interview. The next step is to follow up with a thank you note or a thank you email. This should be sent within 24 hours of interviewing.

If you would like me to go into detail about anything mentioned above, please leave a comment and let me know!

Resume

Before you start your internship search, make sure your resume is pristine. The smallest of spelling or grammar errors will immediately get your resume tossed. Spell check it, search for errors and then have ten other people do the same. Ask your professors, family members and friends to read it. The career services center at most universities is terrific for this. Now, as far as content goes, include anything at all relevant to public relations. If you do not have any internship experience whatsoever this your time to get creative (but never embellish!) Before I had any experience working in public relations I worked at a doctor’s office. Occasionally the staff members would have me write blog posts, social media posts, or create flyers. That little bit of experience gave me something to add to my resume as well as something to talk about in interviews. Also, remember that public relations requires writing skills! Join the school newspaper, or start a blog. These are both terrific things to have on a PR resume.

Cover Letter

The same rules apply. Check your spelling, and check it again. Aside from that, the best tip I have for cover letters is to make sure they are personalized. DO NOT send the same cover letter for every job you apply for. It is okay to create one basic cover letter and adjust it, but make sure you include something that is specific to the job. Tell them why you want to work for their company. Also, do not forget to address the letter to a specific person. Do your research. LinkedIn is your best friend.

The Search

My favorite Internship search tools are Internships.com and LinkedIn. Both of these websites post internships regularly. With Internships.com, you can upload your resume once and apply to internships in minutes. Simply search for an internship, click on the post, add an introduction/short cover letter and click send. This is great when searching for your first internship during a time where you likely want to apply to a large amount of companies and do not have very many options. I would not recommend this approach after your second or third Internship. Once you have interned a time or two, you earn the right to be a little bit selective. Make a list of the top 10 agencies for the specific niche you want to work in (Beauty, Fashion, Tech etc.) and search for internships at those agencies. LinkedIn is probably the most amazing career tool that is available to us, twenty-something’s. It has never been easier to network with firms, the people who work at those firms and people that have previously worked at those firms. I have found that recruiters and HR people are very open to chatting with students about potential opportunities. You can begin by searching for the company you want to work for, follow them and send a message to someone that works there.

The Interview

Once you have lined up a few interviews, it is time to do your homework. Never, ever go to an internship interview without researching the company. If it is a PR agency, research their clients, research the person that is interviewing you, and research company reviews. Many times previous employees will post reviews about what it was like to work for the company on Glassdoor.com. Another important thing to research is the company dress code. This will make a big difference in the way you dress for the interview. PR agencies typically have a casual dress code, but that does not mean you should wear sneakers and jeans to your interview. Business casual is typically the way to go for a PR internship interview. Also, remember to practice. Practice reciting your personal story, know your resume very well and have answers ready for some of the most common interview questions. Also, your work does not end after you leave the interview. The next step is to follow up with a thank you note or a thank you email. This should be sent within 24 hours of interviewing.

If you would like me to go into detail about anything mentioned above, please leave a comment and let me know!

Yoli hard at work on a photoshoot.

Yoli Cotray and I met a few years back, when her beau (and one of my closest friends) introduced us at a NYC bar. My immediate reaction as we shook hands was “Wow, this girl has really great eyebrows!” I guess that is something only a girl obsessed with makeup products would think. The thin patchy baby caterpillars that rest on top of my eyes, pale in comparison. I had to know her secret! I wondered if it would it be weird to ask her what eye pencil she used 15 minutes into meeting her. I told myself I would avoid the awkward eyebrow talk for the time being and inquire about the story of how the lovely couple met.

Fast-forward to the day I was assigned to write a blog post. My professor told the class that we must include an interview in our first post. My immediate thought? My chance to ask Yoli how in the world she does it! Yoli and I have known one another for about two years now, and I have yet to see the girl look anything less than air brushed. After a twelve-hour workday and when most women I know look like melting Crayola crayons, she is a woman that appears to have stepped out of a magazine advertisement. She is a woman that has recently exited her twenties, but because of her youthful complexion will still likely be carded for the next couple of years. Yoli works as a makeup artist at NARS cosmetics andhas worked for countless beauty brands. As we sit in an Upper West Side restaurant, we sip our champagne cocktails and she eventually lets me pick her brain:

Yoli’s work on a young model.

As a makeup artist, you spend all day working with clients of all ages. What would you say is the biggest difference between the way you apply makeup on a woman in her forties or fifties and a woman in her twenties? Are there differences in products/colors/application?

“As a makeup artist with 13+ years’ experience in working with clients of all ages, the biggest difference between the makeup application for women of different generations would be the process (ie. The steps taken to achieve the desired end result) due to the tightness of the skin or lack thereof.  For a woman of wisdom, I would “put everything back where it belongs” then dress it up by accentuating her best features.  With a woman in her 20’s, things are usually in place, and at that point, I can just be creative.”

What is one fall beauty trend that all twenty-something girls should try and one that they should avoid?

“One fall beauty trend that I am obsessed with now (for any age!) is a rich shade of brown lipstick.  With the right undertone and formula (sheer, satin, cream, matte, etc.), this can be a very sophisticated and chic look.  Avoid- skipping lip liner!”

Kat Dennings sporting the trend.

In your opinion, what is the biggest mistake twenty-somethings make when applying their makeup?

“In my opinion, one of the biggest mistakes women in their twenties make when applying their makeup is not properly prepping the skin with skin care.  A great eye cream, face serum and moisturizer can go a long way in what I like to refer to as the “preventative years”.  It can also improve the overall look and wear of a makeup application.”

Yoli’s work on a young model.

If you could go back and tell your twenty one year old self one thing related to beauty, what would it be?

“If I could go back in time, I would tell my twenty one year old self”only allow a professional to groom your brows’.  I specialize in eyebrows now, but back then… next question.”

Yoli’s work on a “Pretty Woman” photoshoot.

What do you believe is the number one product all women in her twenties should own?

“I cannot emphasize this enough, EYE CREAM!!!  And not only should they own it, they should commit to using it day and night.  How else would we remain Forever 21?”

Yoli working on a bride.

Describe the perfect office beauty look for a woman in her twenties.

“One of my favorite work appropriate makeup looks for young professionals begins with a polished complexion.  A foundation/concealer with the proper level of coverage can camouflage imperfections. Next, find a blush that would mimic an actual pinch to the cheek, this will bring a healthy glow back to the skin.  Deep Gray or Dark Brown eyeliner to *thinly* define eyes- this can distract from any puffiness around the eyes (no one needs to know when you have been up late!) Mascara is a must, and a matte rosy toned lipstick can complete the office look.  There is something about the finish and color that says RESPECT ME, respectfully.”

Describe the perfect date night look for a woman in her twenties.

“One of the easiest (and flirtiest!) date looks for a woman in her twenties is a traditional Cat Eye styled liner.  This look can be used with a bold lip color for those who dare, or something softer for a casual finish.  Whether pencil, liquid, or gel, make sure the eyeliner is long wearing just in case it ends up being a long night!”

I leave the interview, and immediately feel an urge to step into Sephora. My new shopping list includes a dark brown lip color with matching pencil. (So 90’s!), an eye cream and a black eyeliner to create a cat eye. Now, if she would only come over every time I needed a cat eye. Ah! Blog post idea. The perfect cat eye, by Yoli Cotray. Who wants to see that next?

Yoli hard at work on a photoshoot.

Yoli Cotray and I met a few years back, when her beau (and one of my closest friends) introduced us at a NYC bar. My immediate reaction as we shook hands was “Wow, this girl has really great eyebrows!” I guess that is something only a girl obsessed with makeup products would think. The thin patchy baby caterpillars that rest on top of my eyes, pale in comparison. I had to know her secret! I wondered if it would it be weird to ask her what eye pencil she used 15 minutes into meeting her. I told myself I would avoid the awkward eyebrow talk for the time being and inquire about the story of how the lovely couple met.

Fast-forward to the day I was assigned to write a blog post. My professor told the class that we must include an interview in our first post. My immediate thought? My chance to ask Yoli how in the world she does it! Yoli and I have known one another for about two years now, and I have yet to see the girl look anything less than air brushed. After a twelve-hour workday and when most women I know look like melting Crayola crayons, she is a woman that appears to have stepped out of a magazine advertisement. She is a woman that has recently exited her twenties, but because of her youthful complexion will still likely be carded for the next couple of years. Yoli works as a makeup artist at NARS cosmetics andhas worked for countless beauty brands. As we sit in an Upper West Side restaurant, we sip our champagne cocktails and she eventually lets me pick her brain:

Yoli’s work on a young model.

As a makeup artist, you spend all day working with clients of all ages. What would you say is the biggest difference between the way you apply makeup on a woman in her forties or fifties and a woman in her twenties? Are there differences in products/colors/application?

“As a makeup artist with 13+ years’ experience in working with clients of all ages, the biggest difference between the makeup application for women of different generations would be the process (ie. The steps taken to achieve the desired end result) due to the tightness of the skin or lack thereof.  For a woman of wisdom, I would “put everything back where it belongs” then dress it up by accentuating her best features.  With a woman in her 20’s, things are usually in place, and at that point, I can just be creative.”

What is one fall beauty trend that all twenty-something girls should try and one that they should avoid?

“One fall beauty trend that I am obsessed with now (for any age!) is a rich shade of brown lipstick.  With the right undertone and formula (sheer, satin, cream, matte, etc.), this can be a very sophisticated and chic look.  Avoid- skipping lip liner!”

Kat Dennings sporting the trend.

In your opinion, what is the biggest mistake twenty-somethings make when applying their makeup?

“In my opinion, one of the biggest mistakes women in their twenties make when applying their makeup is not properly prepping the skin with skin care.  A great eye cream, face serum and moisturizer can go a long way in what I like to refer to as the “preventative years”.  It can also improve the overall look and wear of a makeup application.”

Yoli’s work on a young model.

If you could go back and tell your twenty one year old self one thing related to beauty, what would it be?

“If I could go back in time, I would tell my twenty one year old self”only allow a professional to groom your brows’.  I specialize in eyebrows now, but back then… next question.”

Yoli’s work on a “Pretty Woman” photoshoot.

What do you believe is the number one product all women in her twenties should own?

“I cannot emphasize this enough, EYE CREAM!!!  And not only should they own it, they should commit to using it day and night.  How else would we remain Forever 21?”

Yoli working on a bride.

Describe the perfect office beauty look for a woman in her twenties.

“One of my favorite work appropriate makeup looks for young professionals begins with a polished complexion.  A foundation/concealer with the proper level of coverage can camouflage imperfections. Next, find a blush that would mimic an actual pinch to the cheek, this will bring a healthy glow back to the skin.  Deep Gray or Dark Brown eyeliner to *thinly* define eyes- this can distract from any puffiness around the eyes (no one needs to know when you have been up late!) Mascara is a must, and a matte rosy toned lipstick can complete the office look.  There is something about the finish and color that says RESPECT ME, respectfully.”

Describe the perfect date night look for a woman in her twenties.

“One of the easiest (and flirtiest!) date looks for a woman in her twenties is a traditional Cat Eye styled liner.  This look can be used with a bold lip color for those who dare, or something softer for a casual finish.  Whether pencil, liquid, or gel, make sure the eyeliner is long wearing just in case it ends up being a long night!”

I leave the interview, and immediately feel an urge to step into Sephora. My new shopping list includes a dark brown lip color with matching pencil. (So 90’s!), an eye cream and a black eyeliner to create a cat eye. Now, if she would only come over every time I needed a cat eye. Ah! Blog post idea. The perfect cat eye, by Yoli Cotray. Who wants to see that next?